Cushioning mechanism



DEC. 19, 1933. D. s. BARROWS CUSHIONING MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet l l l l l l IIIIIIII'II Dec. 19, 1933. D. s. BARRows CUSHIONING MECHANISM Filed Jan. '7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 19, 1933i VV UNITE-D sTAS'TgEfS` l ori-ica CUSHIONINGTMECHANISM n Donald S. Barrows,-.Rochester, N. Y., assignor toV v Apblication January 7,192.1. serrer n0..5,o,7,2so

` solaimegol. 213722) This invention relates to friction shock absorbshowing cushioning mechanism of the doubleing mechanism and its arrangement -with-railendeditype. A'

way draft riggingl so that a portion ofthe'hous` Figure 4 is aviewA-corresponding to Fig. 1, but ing functionsas the ordinary front follower withshowingM a 'modification and illustrating' the out increasing the length thereof, whereby said cushioning mechanism partially in side elevation; 60 housing is adapted to be stopped against forward I Figure 5fi's a"transv'erse Vsectional view on the movement without the use of frontvdra'ft lugs.V nline 5 5 of Fig. 4, looking' in the direction of the The principal object of my invention, generalarrows. 1y considered, is to provide singlekand doublef Figure 6 isl a view corresponding to Fig. 4, but

i0 ended cushioning mechanism, a portion of which., Showing mechanism ofthe double-ended type- 65 is slotted to receive a connecting horizontal draft Referring to the drawings in detail, likeparts key, and, if double-ended, theparts of which are being rflesignat'ed4 by "like reference characters, adapted to operate in series in association with and flrst considering the embodiment of my inthe sills of railway rolling stock, softhat the ventionillstrated in Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown mechanism will function to provide greater en-v one embodiment of mycushioning mechanism or 70 ergyabsorbing capacity underbuff thanunder draftf'dgejarJl. comprisinga housing or casing 2 draft. 'withnormally vertical As ide Walls 3 connected by Another object Aof my Vinvention. is theuprovipreferably inclinedandi'transversely curved top sion of cushioning mechanism involving ajhous- "ai'd'bottrnfwalls 4 and 5, and a transverse Wall zo ing with longitudinallyextending walls connect-` 6, Said tronSveTSeWlll in thenplesent embodi- 75 ed by a transversely extending'wall, AWithjarnorment, ybeing the front end wallrfiom'lwhichwexmally horizontalpartition connecting the, side tends a'fr ioriiallyV horizontal partition 7- walls and slotted for receiving a connecting draft The partition 'Tfond 'el normally Vertical partikey, anend, or the ends,` of said housing being tion 3 mefgngwitn the partition 7 and the llppelopen, with friction boxes, connectedthereto, or 91nd'lowerwalls 4 and 5,l divides the housing into 80 provided with inwardly eonverging'f1"i(;t,ior1rsurf forcoplpartlrinfs 9 Which Il'prl'nallyV receive the faces, an'intermediatefollower, or followers,` with folli" leS-tS ofnilS of release SDingS 10- A fi'fh outwardly converging friction surfaces, vbeing reneS-ol llnitll Vof, .release Springs deSiIably enr ceived in said housing, and wedge b locksengaggages', 'olieV Teer 'face of the partition 7 with its ing the inclined surfaces onthe housing 'arfidffelfree end received in anfinwardly opening pocket 85 lower, orfollowers, with release springs acting 12 in the intermediate follower 13, lsaid pocket between the fo11 oWer,or followers, and the trans- Y'beir'ig desirablyfformed so that the inner coil 14 verse wall, the assembled parts being normally of ihenneSlofoplngS 11` may extend further embraced by a yoke and limited in rearward 'than' the' OllieI'COll 1 5# The follower 13 desir- 36 movement by a backstop, or other Vrearward'limablylllae olitwerdly extending `Stop Shoulders 16, 90 iting means, and the yoke being normally con-r adaptedtfo rengage the friction boX o1' portions nected to an associated coupler by a draft key, or, 1'( of .iil le ,holl$ngon Which are provided the the like. Y inc'lir'ied yfriction surfaces 18, to limit movement Other objects andV advantages ofthe inven-WA thereof, outwardly ofthefliousing. .The friction 40 tion relating to the particular arrangement and# boX 17 maybe connectedto the housing in, 2in-yA 95 construction of the various partsfwill become apde siljeill manner, SIS` by rivets or' other vconnecting parent as the description proceeds. 1 n1 c9.I 1S: 19

Referring to the drawings illustrating my inn `T lleinfteilneiliflile follower 1 3 iS provided with vennen, the scope whereof is denned bythe apoutwardly. conversing friction Surfaces, 20, said pended claims:- f "surfacesml a nd'l`20V being normally engaged by 100 'Figure 1 is a 1ongitudina1 vertical. seetionai,correspqndinasorfaces 21 and 2 2 on the asso- View of oneforrn of. mycushioning mechanismmoiated Wedge blocks 23.

shown on the line 1-'1 of Figf2, looking infthe "I'n fiiililizvirig the; Shock absorbing mechanism direction of the arrows, assembled with assocatedjmslSed, inSSocieted coupler 24 desilbly abuts Adraft rigging, portionsL ofthe associatedlfback- ,thelwall 0f. the ,housing and iS Connected to a 105 stop, coupler and cheekplartes being illustrated.jfi'll'i'ef.25 fllVl1iCl1 elnlnel'ces` the rear 'follower 26 i' Figure 2 is a transverse setionallview Von the vand lineal aoclaimechanlsm l; and S ,00n-

linve 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking inthe direction `of the; nected'to the ooUpler'aS bymeans of a horizontal `arrows. f Y key' 27. The slide arms o ftheyoke 25 are de v --Figure 3 isa view correspondin'gto Fig. 1; butf sirably slotted to receive a second key 28 which 110 extends through a corresponding slot 29 in the horizontal partition 7 and has its ends received in corresponding slots 30 in associated cheek plates 31 and sills 32. The slots 30 in the cheek plates are desirably elongated rearwardly of the normal position of the key 28 so as to permit rearward movement of the housing 2, so that it slides overA the Wedges 21 and effects `compression of the mechanism, it being understood that the releaseY springs l0 and 1l are compresseddifferentially, as compared with the movement ofthev blocks 21 into the housing, because of theengagement between the inclined friction surfaces on the housing or friction box thereof, and the corresponding inclined surfacesv of the wedge blocks 21, so that a relatively great springcapacity, as well as frictional cushioning effect, is provided by the arrangement disclosed. The slots 30 in the'cheek plates are desirably disposed with their forward ends terminating at the normal forward positionof the-front edge of the key 28, so that said key serves as a front stop for limiting forward movement of the housing and associated mechanism. The rearward movement of the yoke 25 and associated rear follower 26 may be limited by any desired means, -such as an associated backstop 33.

Referring now to the embodiment of myV invention illustrated in Figure 3, a cushioning,

mechanism 1a is there disclosed which involves a housing or mechanism casing 2%,open at both ends, rather` than closed at one end, as in the Y previousr embodiment. Each end of the housing 2a has a friction box 17a, or is providedfwith inclined friction surfaces 18a, said friction surfaces being normally engaged,A by corresponding surfaces on wedge blocks 21a, asin theprevious vembodiment. A normally vertical transversev wall or partitionv 6a connects the sidewalls 3a and-topv and bottom walls ia and.5,as inthe previous embodiment, said wall, however, being preferably centrally disposed rather than adjacent one end `of the housing- V A normally Vhorizontal partition anism here disclosed is to connect it to an asso-Y ciated coupler 24a which, in the presentembodiment, is illustrated as being a swivel butt coupler, although I do not wish tojbe limited to this showing, andto provider a horizontal yoke v,25asurrounding the mechanism la and associated Afollowers 25a with the` looped,v or rear end disposedk between the rear follower and ,an associated backstop 33201' other means-,for limiting .rear-f wardmovement of the mechanism, and connecting said yoke and coupler b y. a front draft key V279, or other means for harnessing the parts together. `The yoke 25 has its side arms slotted for receiving the [key 28%, which connects the mechanism to the associated` cheek plates 31a and-draft sills 32e, the slotsinsaid cheek plates, as in the previous embodiment, being preferably extended rearwardly topermit the housing 2a to move rearwardly'under Lthe action of -buflingy land a friction box rportion 17h.

forces for the compression of the mechanism in both ends of the housing, while preventing forward movement of the housing, whereby only the mechanism in the rear end thereof is stressed under the action of draft forces.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen thatunder the action of draft forces, the housing 2a is held stationary by the key 28'when the coupler 24P- pulls the yoke 25YL forwardly through the connecting key 27a, moving the rear follower 25a and pushing the rear friction blocks 21a and intermediate follower 13a to compress the release springs 10a and 11n, thereby actuating only the rearvcushioningmechanism or rear half of the double-ended gear la, utilizing only one-half the V,total capacity lof said gear which, at the same time, permits only one half the movement permitted under a full compression of the gea-r.

Under the action of bufling forces, however, the butt of the coupler 24E engages the front wedges 21a, pushing them over the inclined surfaces on the friction blocks and intermediate follower and compressing the associated release springs, while simultaneously ymoving the housing 2a rearwardly so that the rear friction elements are similarly actuated and the associated rear release springs compressed, so that a full compression of the gear is permitted. On account of this Vaction under buff not only is increased energy absorbing-capacity provided', but a coupler travel equal to the sum of the travels permitted bythe friction elements at each end of the gear is permitted.

Although for convenience and economy of manufacture, the gear is desirably made symmetrical,

so that the travel and capacity provided at cach end is substantially identical, yet this is not essential, in accordance with the broad aspect of. my invention, so that the capacities and travelsof the two ends of the gear maybe equal or diiferent, aszdesred. l Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, there is Vshown affriction draft gear somewhat like that `of Figures l andZ, except that :only two nests ofrelease springs l0b are employed instead of five, andthe housing 2b of the mechanism lb comprises a release spring receiving portion 34 As in the previous embodiment, the housing 2b has side walls 3b, but the top and bottom walls are omitted, the side walls curvingY around therelease springs, as indicated at 35,V and spaced above and below said springs. By curving the portions 35 and disposing them 'inwardly of the main side wall portion o3b,.abutting flanges 36 are provided receiving the,

connecting rivets 37 for holding the l'lbof the housing-together.

`As in the previous embodiment, the side walls 3b are connected by a transverse wall 6b which, in the present embodiment, is a front end wall;

parts 34 and l and from said wall extends a normally horizontal partition. 7b, the partition '7br dividing the housing intotwo compartments 9by which normally .receive vthe two nests or units Vof release ,l

The release springs engage the" springs 10b. Y transverse wall 6lo at the front end of the'gea. an intermediate follower 13b being desirably provided with outwardly extending stop shoulders forflanges 1Gb adapted to engage'stop'shoulders provided on the friction box'l'?b at the inner endsl .of the inclined vfriction surfaces 18h. The inter- `mediate follower 13b is provided with outwardly converging friction surfaces 2Gb, said surfaces 18? and 20b being normally engaged by corres@- Wedgeblocks 23h. d

The shock absorbing mechanism before de scribed may be utilized with an associated coupler 24b by placing it'wth the front wall 6b in l abuttingV engagement with said coupler, and emembodiment.

ring portion 34c and two friction box or end por- I zontal key 27h.

`ated backstop 33".

'braced by an associated yoke 25h, said yoke being Vconnected to the coupler as by means of a hori- The side arms'of the yoke are l desirably slotted to receive a second key 28o which extends through acorresponding slot 29b in the horizontal partition '7u and has its ends received in corresponding slots 30? in associated cheekv plates 31h. The slots 30,b in the cheek plates are desirably elongated rearwardly of the normal position of theV key 28h sofas to permit rearward `movement of the housing 2b, as in the previous The rearward movement of theA Y yoke 25b and associated rear follower 26b may be limited by any desired means, such as an associ- Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figure 6, a cushioning `mechanism 1c isthere disclosed which involves a housing 2c comprising a release spring receivtions 17, the housing or mechanism casing 2c `being open at both ends, rather than closed at one end, as in theprevious embodiment. It will be seen that the double-ended gear 1c here dis` closed compares with the singleended gear of Figures 4 and 5, exactly as the double-ended gear of Figure 3 compares with the single-ended gear of Figures 1 and 2, so that a detailed description thereof need not be given.

One way of utilizing the double-endedV mechanism 1c is to connect it to an associated coupler 24C, and to provide a horizontal yoke 25c surrounding the mechanism 1c and an associated rear follower 26c with the looped or rear end disposed between said Yfollower and an associated backstop 3 3, or other means for limiting rearward movement of the mechanism, and connecting said yoke and coupler by a front draft key,

as in the previous embodiment. The yoke 25Ck has its side arms slotted for receiving the key 28c which connects the mechanism to the associated cheek plates 31c which, of course, are attached to the draft sills of the car, the slots in said cheek plates, as in the previous embodiment,

' being preferably extended rearwardly to permit the housing 2c to move rearwardly under the action of bufiing forces for the compression of the mechanism in both ends of the housing, while preventing forward movement of the housing, whereby only the mechanism in the rear end thereof is stressed under the action of draft forces, and the entire mechanism is compressed under the action of bufling forces, like the doubleended mechanism shown. in Figure 3, as will be understood.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent that I have devised forms of cushioning mechanism, both single-ended and doubleended, with the parts in each end of the doubleended mechanism adapted to be actuated in series under the action of bufling forces, while the parts at one end only are preferably, actuated under the action of draft forces. It Vwill also be clear that I have devised a mechanism in which lighter release springs may be employed because of the differential compression of said springs,

that is, by providing an arrangement whereby the springs arecompressed a greater amount than ,the intermediate followers are moved- 1 I `Although I have illustrated preferred embodimentsof my inventionit will be understood that I do not wish toV be limited Lto the exact form shown, as modifications may be made within the spirit Vand scopeof the appended claims.

I claimzl, In a railway draft rigging, in combination Vwith slotted sills providing'a freely open draft gear pocket, a cushioning mechanism housing comprising walls connected by a transversely extending central partition, side walls connected by a normally horizontal partition, top and bottom walls connected by a normally vertical partition,

-said side walls and partitions being slotted to receive a horizontal draft'key-adapted to pass through thev slots in said sills and hold the housing against forward movement, the ends of said housing being open, friction boxes connected to said -open ends and providing inwardly converging friction surfaces, intermediate followers with inwardly opening pockets and outwardly converging friction surfaces, wedgeblocks engaging the inclined surfaces of the housing and intermediatel followers, release springs disposed in the pockets between the walls and horizontal and vertical partitions, between -said transverse partition and inends of the horizontal partition and intermediate followers, with their ends received in the follower pockets, means limiting rearward movement of said mechanism, a coupler engaging the forward portion of said mechanism, a yoke surrounding said mechanism with the loop portion disposed between it and said rearward limiting means, and means for connecting said coupler and yoke.

2. In railwaydraft rigging, in combination with slotted sills providing a freely open draft gear pocket, a cushioning mechanism housing comprising walls connected by a transverse wall, side walls connected by a normally horizontal partition, top and bottom walls connected by a normally vertical partition extending upwardly and downwardly from said horizontal partition, said side Walls andpartitions being slotted to receive a horizontal draft key adapted to pass through the corresponding slots in said sills and hold the housing against forward movement, an end of said housing being open, a'friction box connected to said open end and providing inwardly converging friction surfaces, an intermediate follower with an inwardly opening pocket and outwardly converging friction surfaces, wedge blocks engaging the inclined surfaces of the housing and intermediate follower, release springs disposed, in the pockets between the walls and horizontal and vertical partitions, between said transverse wall and intermediate follower, release springs between the end of said horizontal partition and intermediate follower with their ends received in the follower pocket, means limiting rearward movement of said mechanism, a coupler engaging the forward portion of said mechanism, a yoke surrounding said mechanism with the loop portiondisposed between it and said rearward limiting means, and means for connecting said coupler and yoke.

3. Cushioning mechanism comprising ahousing with walls connected by a transversely extending partition, side walls connected by a normally horif zontal partition, said side walls and partitions being slotted to receive a horizontal draft key for connecting said mechanism to associated draft sills, the ends of said housing being open and provided with inwardly converging friction surfaces,

,termediate followers, release springs between the intermediate followers with outwardly converging friction surfaces and inwardly opening pockets,

'wedge blocks engaging the inclined surfaces on side walls and partition being slotted to receive a horizontal draft key adapted to pass through corresponding slots in associated sills and hold the housing against forward movement, an end of said housing being open, a friction box connected to said open end and providing inwardly converging friction surfaces, an intermediate follower with an inwardly opening pocket and outwardly converging friction surfaces, wedge blocks engaging the inclined surfaces of the housingand intermediate follower, release springs disposedbetween said transverse wall and intermediate follower, and release springs between the end of said horizontal partition and intermediate follower with their ends received in the follower pocket.

5. Cushioning mechanism comprising' a housing with a release spring receiving portion and an end friction portion connected together, saidv release spring portion comprising a transversely extending wall, side walls connected by a normally horizontal partition, said side walls and partition being slotted to receive a horizontalv draft key adapted to pass through the` slots in associated Aited in outward movement by those portions of said friction portion providing the friction surfaces and formed with outwardly converging friction surfaces and an inwardly opening pocket,

wedge blocks engaging the friction portion of the housing and intermediate follower, and release spring means disposed between said transverse partition and with the outer end received in the pocket of the intermediate follower.

6. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing with two pairs of side walls, one pair of side walls being connected by a partition extending generally parallel to the other pair of side walls, one end of said housing being provided with outwardly diverging friction surfaces, an intermediate followerwith an inwardly opening pocket and outwardly converging friction surfaces, wedge blocks engaging the friction surfaces'on the housing and intermediate follower, and release spring means normally engaging the outer end portion of said partition and with portions received in the follower pocket. v

Y DONALD S.` BARROWS. 

